Syria: Rebels confiscating Christian properties, desecrating Christian symbols

But don't be concerned. They're not Islamic supremacists. They're secular freedom fighters. All the learned analysts say so. "ASIA/SYRIA - Appeal of the Assyrian Christians in the Syrian opposition: 'Stop Salafi groups," from Agenzia Fides, December 7 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):

Hassaké (Agenzia Fides) - It is urgent to stop the "Jubhat Al Nosra" Salafist group that is spreading terror in Mesopotamia: is the appeal launched by the new "National Coalition of the revolution and opposition" (CNS) from the "Assyrian Democratic Organization" (ADO), a Christian group that is part of the Syrian opposition. In a statement sent to Fides, the ADO said it is "outraged because armed elements of the 'Jubhat Al Nosra' Salafist group, that fights alongside the Free Syrian Army, terrorize civilians and confiscate with impunity Christian properties in the region of Hassaké", in eastern Syria on the border with Turkey. The ADO has a significant presence in the area, and many Assyrian Christians who fled from the village of Ras El Ain, on the border with Turkey, have fled to Hassaké (see Fides 30/11/2012).
The note condemns "practices and misconduct on behalf of some elements of the Free Army or affiliated groups, in the village of Ras El Ain, Tel Amr, Raqqa, as assaults on private property and looting," signaling "breaking into the Syro-Orthodox church in Ras El Ain, the desecration of Christian symbols such as crosses and sacred images, the devastation of the Syrian school of the village. "

The ADO, remembering that for decades its members have suffered arbitrary arrests by the Syrian regime, notes that "today, some Assyrian Christians suspected of being supporters of the regime, have been kidnapped to force their children to fight with the rebels" , calling this "a repetition of the practice of the regime."

Salafist elements have erected roadblocks towards Tal Tamr, in particular, intercepting passing vehicles, "they threaten and insult Christians and other passengers who belong to different faiths."...

« Previous Entry | Home Page | Next Entry »

7 Comments

| Leave a comment

Thomas Pellow | December 9, 2012 4:29 PM | Reply

"Headache for US as al-Qaeda rebel battalion rises in Syria"

http://www.scotsman.com/news/international/headache-for-us-as-al-qaeda-rebel-battalion-rises-in-syria-1-2683126?

gravenimage | December 9, 2012 5:28 PM | Reply

Syria: Rebels confiscating Christian properties, desecrating Christian symbols
.......................

Under Shari'ah, no Christian is allowed to openly display symbols of his faith.

This, for the 7th-century ur-document of dhimmitued, the Pact of Umar:

"We shall not display our crosses or our books in the roads or markets of the Muslims. We shall use only clappers in our churches very softly...

"We shall not build, in our cities or in their neighborhood, new monasteries, Churches, convents, or monks' cells, nor shall we repair, by day or by night, such of them as fall in ruins...

"We shall not manifest our religion publicly nor convert anyone to it. We shall not prevent any of our kin from entering Islam if they wish it..."

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/pact-umar.asp

But don't be concerned. They're not Islamic supremacists. They're secular freedom fighters. All the learned analysts say so...
.......................

Just like all the Jihadists of the "Arab Spring"...sarc/off

Hassaké (Agenzia Fides) - It is urgent to stop the "Jubhat Al Nosra" Salafist group that is spreading terror in Mesopotamia: is the appeal launched by the new "National Coalition of the revolution and opposition" (CNS) from the "Assyrian Democratic Organization" (ADO), a Christian group that is part of the Syrian opposition...
.......................

"Part of the Syrian opposition"—how foolish. Bashar Assad may be an authoritarian strongman, but he is all that is standing between Christians and "Islamists" in Syria.

In a statement sent to Fides, the ADO said it is "outraged because armed elements of the 'Jubhat Al Nosra' Salafist group, that fights alongside the Free Syrian Army, terrorize civilians and confiscate with impunity Christian properties...
.......................

Why is he surprised? With just a few exceptions, it is not democratic secularists—or devout Christians—who are standing against Assad, but rather ravening Jihadists who believe that Assad, despite his support of the murderous Hizb'allah, is "insufficiently Islamic".

The ADO, remembering that for decades its members have suffered arbitrary arrests by the Syrian regime, notes that "today, some Assyrian Christians suspected of being supporters of the regime, have been kidnapped to force their children to fight with the rebels" , calling this "a repetition of the practice of the regime."
.......................

Actually, it's worst. There is no doubt that Christians were harassed second class citizens under Assad—if the Islamist rebels win, it will become much, much worse.

In fact, kidnapping Christian children in order to train them to savage Christians is a reprise of the appalling Janissary system that brutalized Christians for centuries under the Ottoman Empire—the last Caliphate.

Salafist elements have erected roadblocks towards Tal Tamr, in particular, intercepting passing vehicles, "they threaten and insult Christians and other passengers who belong to different faiths."...
.......................

Yes. While Christians are likely to be the main victims, pious Muslim are also targeting Druze, Alawites, and minority-sect Muslims like the Shi'ites here.

Welcome to the new Islamic Syria...

ebonystone | December 9, 2012 6:26 PM | Reply

If the inverse were happening; i.e. if a Christian group anywhere in the world was terrorizing Moslems in this way, it would be front-page news in the MSM papers, and the lead story in the broadcast news.

Meryl Petkoff | December 9, 2012 7:35 PM | Reply

Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/10/us-religion-atheists-idUKBRE8B900520121210?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

"The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe - sometimes brutal - treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion.

... atheist views or defection from the official religion -apostasy-* can bring capital punishment -in countries like-* Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

... In a range of other countries - such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait and Jordan - publication of atheist or humanist views on religion are totally banned or strictly limited under laws prohibiting "blasphemy" ".

*edited by me.

Meryl Petkoff | December 9, 2012 7:45 PM | Reply

Gotta love how Reuters tries to whitewash Islam with the title "Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination", as is atheists were persecuted and prosecuted in non-muslims countries. Oh, the buffoonery of the MSM. Will it ever end?.

Meryl Petkoff | December 9, 2012 7:54 PM | Reply

^Also, when they say stuff like "... or humanist views on religion" it's actually "... or humanist views on Islam", that's cause we are not talking about shinto, buddhist, jewish... etc. countries.

traeh | December 9, 2012 9:22 PM | Reply

They're secular freedom fighters. All the learned analysts say so.

Yes. Including of course the NYT. However, they couldn't totally avoid noticing that a key group involved is not secular:

New York Times: Syrian Rebels Tied to Al Qaeda Play Key Role in War

NOTE: The Comments section is provided in the interests of free speech only. It is mostly unmoderated, but comments that are off topic, offensive, slanderous, or otherwise annoying stand a chance of being deleted. The fact that any comment remains on the site IN NO WAY constitutes an endorsement by Jihad Watch, or by Robert Spencer or any other Jihad Watch writer, of any view expressed, fact alleged, or link provided in that comment.

FrontPageMag.com

Books by Robert Spencer

The Muslim Brotherhood in America, by Robert Spencer

Islamophobia: Thoughtcrime of the Totalitarian Future

Muslim Persecution of Christians, by Robert Spencer

The Ground Zero Mosque: Second Wave of the 9/11 Attacks

“My comrade-in-arms, my pal, my buddy.”
— Oriana Fallaci

“Robert Spencer incarnates intellectual courage when, all over the world, governments, intellectuals, churches, universities and media crawl under a hegemonic Universal Caliphate’s New Order. His achievement in the battle for the survival of free speech and dignity of man will remain as a fundamental monument to the love of, and the self-sacrifice for, liberty.”
— Bat Ye’or

“Robert Spencer is indefatigable. He is keeping up the good fight long after many have already given up. I do not know what we would do without him. I appreciate all the intelligence and courage it takes to keep going despite the appeasement of the West.”
— Ibn Warraq

“America's most informed, fearless, and compelling voice on modern jihadism.”
— Andrew C. McCarthy, Senior Fellow at National Review Institute

“Robert Spencer is the leading voice of scholarship and reason in a world gone mad. If the West is to be saved, we will owe Robert Spencer an incalculable debt.”
— Pamela Geller, Atlas Shrugs

"The consummate Islam critic and expert." — Bruce Bawer

“Over the years, we have become friends, and I have received his assistance on several pieces of legislation I proposed.”
— Former Congressman Tom Tancredo

“Few people are capable of applying scholarship, analytical reasoning, and objectivity to their topic -- while simultaneously being readable and witty -- as can Robert Spencer.”
— Raymond Ibrahim

“A national treasure...The acclaimed scholar of Islam.”
— Frank Gaffney, Center for Security Policy

“I am indeed honored to call him my friend.”
— Brad Thor, novelist

“A top American analyst of Islam....A serious scholar...I learn from him.”
— Daniel Pipes

“A brilliant scholar and writer.”
— Douglas Murray

"One of my best teachers."
— Ashraf Ramelah, Voice of the Copts

“Thank God there’s at least one man with balls left in the West.”
— Kathy Shaidle, Five Feet of Fury

“I read people like [Mark Steyn] and Bob Spencer and the rest of them, and I say, ‘Boortz, you’re pretending you’re an author. These people really are. They really write some entertaining, some standup stuff.’”
— Neal Boortz

“Robert Spencer is the Stephen King of Jihad.”
— Chris Gaubatz, Muslim Mafia

“Armed with facts and fearlessness, Spencer stands up for Western civilization.”
— Michelle Malkin

“Widely read in conservative foreign policy circles.”
— New York Times

“Widely read in many quarters in Washington.”
— Washington Post

“A canny operative who likely has the inside track on the State Department’s Middle East affairs desk should the tea party win the White House.”
— New York Magazine

“A hero of the American right.”
— Karen Armstrong

"The leading anti-Islamic intellectual in the United States....The go-to Islam expert for the right wing."
— Salon Magazine

“Robert Spencer is an Edward Said turned upside down.”
— Stephen Suleyman Schwartz

“One of the nation's most notorious Islamophobes.”
— Hamas-linked CAIR

"Geller and Spencer are probably the most important propagandizing Islamophobes in the world. These people's voices speak very loudly — not just here in the United States but overseas."
— Heidi Beirach, Southern Poverty Law Center

“Satanic ignoramus.”
— Khaleel Mohammed

“The Likud anti-Christ.”
— Dar al-Hayat newspaper (Saudi Arabia)

“Zionist Crusader, missionary of hate, counter-Islam consultant.”
— Al-Qaeda’s Adam Gadahn, “Azzam the American”